As I properly addressed Bahar's wound, I thought about why I said I was going to stay with him. Truth is, I don't know why, it just happened. Before I knew what was happening, I found myself saying it, I found myself wanting to stay by his side. I felt a connection with him, I was curious about what this connection is, maybe that's why I want to stay with him. But I know one thing is for certain, it wasn't love.
I had Bahar pull his tunic back down over his neatly wrapped bandages. I straightened back up and readjusted the bow on my back. I was startled by Yazdan who seemed to suddenly appear next to us. "You guys ready?" he asked as he studied Bahar's waist where the bandages were hidden underneath his tunic, "We have a long night ahead of us."
"W-what?" I stuttered.
Yazdan gave me a cruel smile. "We're heading back to camp sweetheart, if you can't handle that, you can stay here," then without even letting me answer, he walked away just as soon as he appeared.
I turned to Bahar. "In the dark?" I asked.
He sighed. "Yazdan wants to get back to my father as soon as possible, and if he can get rid of you in the process, it would be better for him. This isn't right, I'll go talk to him." I grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking away.
"No, I can handle it."
"No you can't, You haven't built up enough energy yet." he went to walk away again but I gripped his arm tighter.
"Yes, I can," I said sternly.
He stared at me like he was trying to decide what to do with me, he made me nervous when he looked at me like that. "Fine." his arm seemed to relax in my hand and I loosened my grip and after a few moments, let go. We all silently started gathering supplies before we had to head off. I didn't have anything other than the bow and dagger Bahar gave me so I just stood in the shadows out of everyone's way. They all seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for something, well, all but Yazdan. He just sat on the ground and watched over everything. Ever so often I caught him intensely staring at me, his stare sent shivers down my spine.
I walked over to Bahar who was going through the dead man's belongings. "Shouldn't we dig a hole or something?"
"No time."
"Well can't we take him back so he can be given a funeral?"
"He's dead weight."
"Can we do anything for him?
Bahar looked up, a grim look on his face. "Like what? There's nothing we can do." I swore as he looked away, I saw a single tear roll down his cheek.
"Why did you kill him then?" I mumbled.
"Cause I wasn't going to let him hurt you," He whispered back. He finished searching through his belongings, stood up, did a silent prayer over the body, then covered him with the man's own clothing. "We need to find you some clothing, you're going to need more than just your tunic. And shoes," Bahar said, as if nothing had just happened.
"Oh, okay." I followed him around as he searched the other mens bags. They weren't too happy about it but we're willing to give Bahar what he asked for. By the end he found me a pair of shalvar, some buckskin boots and a cloth I can use as a chlamys.
As Bahar finished helping me fasten my makeshift chlamys, Yazdan announced we were going to leave. "I still think I should talk to him," Bahar whispered.
"I'll be fine," I reassured. I don't know if I was reassuring myself or him, but I reslung my quiver and bow over my chlamys and got ready for the long walk ahead of us.